No More Chances

It is not a matter of if, but when.  Eventually, the opportunities to obey the Gospel will end.  Peter explained, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” (2 Pet. 3:10-12)?  None of us know when that day shall be, but we can be certain that it is coming.  Jesus said, “Therefore be ye also ready:  for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matt. 25:44).  Readiness is the key!  If He returns, and I have not obeyed the Gospel, there will be no more chances to do such.  Paul wrote, “Seeing it is a righteous things with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day” (2 Thess. 1:6-10).

In another letter, Paul gave more information of how things will be when Jesus returns.  He wrote, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  But every man in his own order:  Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power” (1 Cor. 15:22-24).  Notice carefully, when Christ returns, “Then cometh the end”.  There will not be an opportunity to make preparations then.  This is further verified by Paul when he continued, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:  for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Cor. 15:51-52).  When something happens “In a moment” and “in the twinkling of an eye”, it occurs quickly.  There will be no more time to obey the Gospel.

Our Lord taught several times in parables.  One of those great lessons described the condition of ten virgins when a bridegroom came.  In the parable, the bridegroom is used to portray Jesus.  The ten virgins are used to portray different people.  Jesus said, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed the lamps.  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you:  but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage:  and the door was shut.  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matt. 25:1-13).  One day, Jesus will come, and figuratively, the door will be shut.  In the parable, once the door was shut, it was not to be opened again to allow others to enter.  The only way to go and be with Jesus is to obey the Gospel and remain faithful until He comes.

Friend, the chances to obey are expiring every day.  Why not humble yourself and become a Christian while you can (Heb. 5:9).  Do not waste your chances while you have them because there is coming a time when there will be no more chances!
~ Corey Barnette